Any wounds or marks on a cadaver are examined during the autopsy. Most wounds fall into the set categories of gunshot wounds, stab wounds, blunt force wounds, rape wounds, burn wounds, traffic fatality wounds and poisoning. Wounds are examined to establish if the wounds occurred before or after death. Usually wounds sustained before death bleed profusely and gapes while wounds incurred after death do not bleed or gape. Wounds on the hands and arms can imply defensive wounds, which can lead to the case being labeled a homicide.
Gunshot Wound
Gunshot wounds can give important information on the bullet, type of gun used, point of entry, the distance of the shooter and sometimes the height of the shooter. Cause of death can occur by the bullet hitting a vital organ or the victim bleeding out or from the shock of the bullet. If there are powder burns on the body, it can give a good indication of distance between the victim and the shooter. Ballistics is the branch of forensics that deals with firearms analysis.
Stab wound
Stab wounds include any kind of cut to the skin, like slash wounds and puncture wounds. Wounds are examined for hesitation marks, which can give an indication of suicide. Wounds can suggest the kind of weapon used and the length and width of the weapon.
Head fracture cause by blunt force trauma
Blunt force trauma is caused by kicking, hitting and bludgeoning with an object. Blunt force trauma usually results in bruises; blunt force trauma to the head can result in death quite quickly.
Rape wounds involve examining the genital area for any bruising or tearing. Females are checked for signs of pregnancy. Testing for sexually transmitted infections are run while any evidence, like semen, pubic hair and bloodstains, left by the attacker are collected and analyzed. DNA profiling tests are conducted on the evidence to help identify the rapist.
Burn wounds
Electricity, fire, heat or chemicals can cause burn wounds. Investigation is put into how the body came to be burned whether by accident or on purpose.
Traffic fatalities wounds are used to detect if the victim was the driver, passenger or pedestrian. Blood alcohol and drug levels are tested in all traffic fatalities for legal reasons. Car drivers usually have chest injuries from the steering wheel impacting the abdomen. Passengers usually have spine and knee injuries. Pedestrians usually acquire the most damage to the lower parts of their bodies, especially their ankles. In general, the lower on the body the injuries the more probable it is that the driver braked or slowed the vehicle. Motorcycle drivers typically suffer the more severe injuries, especially to the head if the victim is not wearing a helmet.
Poisons can give the body certain smells or discolourations; forensic chemist analyzes samples taken from the body to give verification of what caused death.
Stab wounds include any kind of cut to the skin, like slash wounds and puncture wounds. Wounds are examined for hesitation marks, which can give an indication of suicide. Wounds can suggest the kind of weapon used and the length and width of the weapon.
Blunt force trauma is caused by kicking, hitting and bludgeoning with an object. Blunt force trauma usually results in bruises; blunt force trauma to the head can result in death quite quickly.
Rape wounds involve examining the genital area for any bruising or tearing. Females are checked for signs of pregnancy. Testing for sexually transmitted infections are run while any evidence, like semen, pubic hair and bloodstains, left by the attacker are collected and analyzed. DNA profiling tests are conducted on the evidence to help identify the rapist.
Electricity, fire, heat or chemicals can cause burn wounds. Investigation is put into how the body came to be burned whether by accident or on purpose.
Traffic fatalities wounds are used to detect if the victim was the driver, passenger or pedestrian. Blood alcohol and drug levels are tested in all traffic fatalities for legal reasons. Car drivers usually have chest injuries from the steering wheel impacting the abdomen. Passengers usually have spine and knee injuries. Pedestrians usually acquire the most damage to the lower parts of their bodies, especially their ankles. In general, the lower on the body the injuries the more probable it is that the driver braked or slowed the vehicle. Motorcycle drivers typically suffer the more severe injuries, especially to the head if the victim is not wearing a helmet.
Poisons can give the body certain smells or discolourations; forensic chemist analyzes samples taken from the body to give verification of what caused death.
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